Bottle-capping machine



Nut 22, Wfi W. F. BRADLEY BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1927 INVENTOR.

BY ii M ATTORNEY.

Patented (let. 22E, ltlfid UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM IE. BRADLEY, OH ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIEl norrtn oarrme MACHINE Application filed February 9, 1927. Serial No. 166,8E5.

ployed for placing the crowns or caps onthe tops of bottles containing various kinds y, of beverages. One of the purposes thereof is to provide a machine having adjustment features permitting its use over a considerable range of sizes and heights of bottles.

Another object thereof is to have the capto ping die rigidly supported and operating on a vertical line, so that the danger of breakage of bottles during the cappmg operation is eliminated.

another purpose thereof is to provide lit means for the quick adjustment of the capping" head to accommodate the same to hot ties of varying heights, without the manipulation of any bolts or screws, or the loss of any time. 2 Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for compelling a quick return of the capping head, and parts connected therewith, immediately following the capping operation. Coupled therewith is an automatic release mechanism which aids in separating the cap from the capping die. This latter mechanism is also capable of being adjusted, so as to adapt it perfectly to its work.

lhe above-named, and other features and Ell advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l shows the device in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section thru the upper part of the frame and capping devices thereon.

Fig. 3 shows the base and lower part of the frame in front elevation, in reduced U size.

The invention is provided with a support,

formedof a base 1, having a raised edge 2,

and a frame 3 of double formation, connected with plates 4; fixed to. the base, said base and frame being adapted to receive bottles of varying sizes. Said frame is projected upwardly into standards and 6, spaced apart and united near their rear edges by a web 6. The other edges of said standards W are provided with coinciding pairs of notches 7, to receive a pin 8, upon which; is fulcrumed a hand-lever 9.

Movable verticall on the standards is a slide 10, to which is attached a frame 11,

which frame is connected with the handlever 9 by a pair of links 12, pivoted at their upper ends on a pin 13 in said hand-lever,

and at their lower ends on a pin 14, held in the frame 11. Fixed to the lower end of the frame 11 is a capping die 15, of suitable size and shape to set a crown 011 the upper end of a bottle supported in the matltl chine, as indicated at 16. This is done by I establishing the capping mechanism on the standards so that the copper will be just above the top of the bottle, with the lever 9 in a substantially horinontal position. it limited downward movement on said lever will then operate to fin the cap firmly in place. In the capping operation the pins 13 and it are in a substantially vertical alignment, so that the force of the lever 9 is exerted in a straight downward direction,

with better results than if such force were to be exerted from the side.

The lever 9 is held normally in an elevated position, and is returned thereto after having been lowered, by means of a coiled spring l'l', connecting the pin 8 with a screw l8 in the slide 10. lln the downward movement of the lever the spring is considerably extended, increasin j the tension thereof, which operates to head quickly from the bottle. v The action of the spring also moves the slide 10 upwardly on the standard. The disengaging movement is aided by means of a stem 19 and plunger 20 on the lower end thereof, within the die 15. A slot 21 permits vertical move ment of said stem on the pin 14, and the upper end of said stem is connected with the pin 13 by means of a slot 22. Said stem is provided with a shoulder 23, between which and the pin 13 is interposed a coiled spring 24:, which spring is compressed upon the downward movement of'the lever 9. In the capping operation the disk 20 is forced upwardl in the die 15, after which the stem 19 is held firmly whilethe handle 9 moves downwardly with relation thereto, compresslid isengage the capping i loo " ing 'the spring 24 between the pin and shoulder. 23'. Assoon asthe pressure of the handle is relieved, the force of the spring 24,-exerteiddownwardly upon the stem 19' and'disk 20 aids in expelling the cap and capped isproperly positioned onthe'base 1 there is no. danger of breakage thereof while receiving the capping pressure. Y.

The haiid-lever.9 is'. capable of a rocking movement on the pin 14-5; and by holding the l slide'lOwith-one hand'and forcing the lever forwardly withtheother the pin ,8 is dis- 5.20

connected froin' the pair ot rotches in which it is seated and the lever and slide can then i be'freely moved upwardly or downwardly on the-standard, and-the pin re-engaged with ano ther' pair of notches, after the" desired .adjustment'has been made. 'In ordinary use the machine would be employed fora considerable tiniewithone size of bottles, so as to require no adjustment, but" it will beevident that if there is' a change in the sjze or the bottles to. be capped,fit is only-the work .of 'an instant 'toinakethe requir'ed' change in the machine. In the rocking' nove nent of I the lever9'th e stem-19- i s also tipped to one side a-little', and the opening for. the-passage .35

" is fs'utficiently large toperinit-of such ii -oveof-said-stemfinthe iipper part of the ,die 15 and shdulder 23,'a-ss hown' at25. -r

. The handle '9'- is also of double formation.

.- which the'pinS passes.

" desire to secure by Letreason itfshoiild be less than desired such'de-.

.fe'c t inayb'ereinedied hy the insertion of one" or more washers between the end and a' .pair of parallel endplates thru .WhatIc1aiin, and

ot the spring I end of said lever, for alternative connection with said detents, an ejector in said capping device, a stem connecting said ejector with said lever, and compression devices on said stein,-ieceiving tension in the capping operation.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame and'standard thereon, provided in one 'ofits edges with a series of detents, a slide on'said standard, a capping device rigidl "attached thereto, a lever' having a rocking connection with said slide, and a detent. key

in one end of said lever 'for alternative 'connection with said detents, an ejector in said capping device, a stemconnecting the said ejector'wit'h said lever, compression devices on said stein, receivingtension in. the capping operation, and means for tension. I

Y4.'In device of the class described, a

adjustment of said I frame "and support thereon, provided with :1

series, of notches, a slide movable on said-support,- a capping device connected therewith, a

leverhavinga link connection with said-slide,

and. provided with a' pivot pin cngageable with said notches, a spring connecting said pin and slide, tending to move the slide up ward'ly,-and a spring-actuated ejector in said capping device, aiding in the separation of the bottle and capping device.

5. -A device, of the, class described, coinprising a bottle'receiving frame, spaced-apart standards mounted thereon and. provided with series of-notches', a slide movable on said standards and provided with a bottle capper :support, a hottle-capper rigidly. attached to I I II I .-said support, a lever having a pin in one of The 4 is provided with 'a sufficient; amount of 'COII'IPIGSSlVej f rce, but if for any its ends for selective engagement with said notches, links connecting said lever with said slide permitting a rock ng movement to the in one of its ends withagpin' for engagement:

ing lowered.

'qo'f its edges with a; series of'dete' its, ajslide l on'isaid standard, .a" capping device rigidly .attached thereto, a. leverhaving a I rocking connection s1 ide,- a detent key-inone a; of the-class.- a frame and {standard thereon, providedin one I 

